Dryer or heater

ABSTRACT

A machine or apparatus for coating, heating or drying fibers in a continuous length element; a machine for impregnating such fiber with a liquid fiber-to-rubber adhesive coating in the manufacture of rubber products; or an apparatus wherein the element is heated and heat products are removed from said element by a gas stream rapidly moving over the surface of said element, wherein said heat products are evaporated water molecules for rapidly drying the element, heat, or other products resulting from heating this element.

United States Patent [72] inventors Grover W. Rye

Cuyahoga Falls; Alexander V. Alexeff, Cleveland, Ohio [21 Appl. No.729,282 [22] Filed May 15, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 12, 1971 [73]Assignee The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Akron, Ohio a corporation ofOhio [54] DRYER 0R HEATER 15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8. CI 263/3, 34/ 15 5 [51] Int. Cl F27b 9/28 [50] Field ofSoareh34/48, 155, 156, 160; 263/3 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS3,406,954 10/1968 Fannon 26 3/3 2,807,096 9/ 1957 Kullgren et a1. 34/48X2,807,097 9/ 1 957 Kullgren et al. 34/48 3,008,243 1 H196 1 Kawaguchi34/160 3,183,605 5/1965 Argue 34/l60x 3,293,770 12/ 1 966 Rauskolb 34/48Primaly Examiner-Edward J. Michael Attomeys-F. W. Brunner and Jack M.Young ABSTRACT: A machine or apparatus for coating, heating or dryingfibers in a continuous length element; a machine for impregnating suchfiber with a liquid fiber-to-rubber adhesive coating in the manufactureof rubber products; or an apparatus wherein the element is heated andheat products are removed from said element by a gas stream rapidlymoving over the surface of said element, wherein said heat products areevaporated water molecules for rapidly drying the element, heat, orother products resulting from heating this element.

PATENTEB JAN 1 2 I97! SHEEI 1 [1F 4 INVFNTORS GROVER W. RYE ALEXANDER'V. ALEXEFF Pmmimmm 3554.502

SHEET 2 BF 4 GROVER W. RYE BY ALEXANDER V. ALEXEFF A ORNEY PATENTEU MN 1219m SHEET 3 BF 4 GROVER W RYE BY ALEXANDER? MALEXEFF DRYER R HEATER Theforegoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of thisapplication, and in order to understand the full nature and extent ofthe technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made tothe accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toheaters, including dryers, and more particularly to heaters for fibers(whether in yarn, cord, fabric, etc. form), especially such fibers to beused in the manufacture of tires, belting and other rubber products; andto the machine for impregnating such fibers by dipping into a liquidfiber-to-rubber adhesive and subsequently drying the same.

The rubber products industry uses various fibers for reinforcement,including rayon, nylon, polyester, Fiberglas, etc. and may use now orhereafter other natural and artificial fibers. The term fiber,-unlessotherwise modified, is intended to be used in its generic sense toinclude all of these fibers. This machine is adapted to process bydipping and drying any continuous length element, such as a wovenfabricv made up of cord formed of fibers, a yarn made up of fibersbefore being twisted into cord and woven into fabric, etc. Dipping theyarn is usually done where application of the adhesive over the entiresurface of the fiber is desired, such as with Fiberglas; while otherfibers are dipped in the fabric form. Therefore, the terms continuouslength fiber element," continuous length element," fiber element orelement used herein, unless otherwise modified, are each intended tocover any continuous length yarn, cord or fabric since each is composedof fibers. The term fabric unless otherwise modified, is intended tocover any suitable fabric, including square woven fabric and includingso-called cord fabric used for tires and having a fairly open and looseweave wherein the cords form the warp and a comparatively small numberof fill threads connect the cords solely to facilitate handling.

It is well known that before any such element made of textile materialcan be incorporated into rubber articles, especially those to besubjected to drastic conditions of flexing or bending, the fibersthereof must be prepared by coating or impregnating with an adhesivethat will bond well to both rubber and the fibers. These adhesives aredispersed, dissolved or suspended in a liquid vehicle, generally water,into which the element is dipped and subsequently dried.

Such elements have been dried by blowing hot air through a drying ovenin a relatively low temperature. Because of the low drying temperatureand the attendant low speed of operation, large capacity drying ovenshave been necessary so as to require vast expenditures of capital andlarge factory areas for operation. It has been recognized be dried morerapidly, but at a controlled temperature to prevent deterioration of thefiber, the speed of drying could be vastly increased, or the sizeandcapacity of the drying apparatus could be considerably reduced.

This invention is an improvement onthe invention disclosed in the T. M.Kersker et US. Pat. No. 3,250,641, granted May 10, 1966, and entitledMethod of Processing Tire Cords, Tire Cord Fabric, And The Like whereininfrared radiation is used to speed up the drying and many of theproblems in such element processing for rubber goods manufacture areexplained in some detail to which reference may be had if desired. Thedryer must be of sufficient size to dry the adhesive liquid coatingsufiiciently sothat the coating will not be picked off or ruptured bythe support means engaged following the drying step.

The present invention relates to a machine or to an apparatus forcoating, heating and/or drying a continuous length element, and moreparticularly to a machine for impregnating such element with a liquidfibersto-rubber adhesive in a coating in the manufacture of tires,belting and other rubber products; or to a heating appar tus wherein theelement is heated and heat products are removed from said element by athat if such elementscould gas stream rapidly moving over the surface ofsaid element, wherein said heatproducts are evaporated water moleculesfor rapidly drying the element at a controlled temperature, or heat whenmaintaining the heated up element at a controlled or preselected heatedtemperature, or other products resulting from heating this element; orto a machine used to expose the fibers to the appropriate time andtemperature conditions at a preselected temperature in the'process knownin the art as heat setting, such as used for nylon to give it thedesired molecular structure and other characteristics.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forrapidly and uniformly heating or drying a fiber containing element at acontrolled temperature soas to manufacture a maximum quality article byminimum sized equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of andapparatus for dipping and drying fibers at a very high temperature andspeed without detriment to the fibers or any coating thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatuswherein an element is heated and heat products are removed from saidelement by a gas stream rapidly moving over the surface of said element,wherein said heat products are evaporated water molecules for rapidlydrying the element, heat, or other products resulting from heating thiselement. 1

These and other objects of the present invention will become more fullyapparent by reference to the appended claims as the following detaileddescription proceeds in reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is an elevational schematic vertical view, partially in section,of a machine or apparatus for coating such element and subsequentlydrying the coating in a drying tower;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of two of the heating or dryingapparatuses located within the heating or drying tower, having someparts omitted or cut away, and having opposed heating zones sandwichingtherebetween opposite faces of the element;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2,and showing only the element and the gas moving means for dischargingthe gas streams into and through the heating zones and subsequentlyexhausting them from the apparatuses in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view by the fabric element of one of the heatingapparatuses in FIG. 2 with some parts omitted or cut away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, taken generally along the line5-5 in FIG. 4, through the discharge nozzle and showing its adjustableflow control gate means;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, schematic, side elevational view with partsomitted or cut away showing the infrared heating and gas stream action.on the element and certain selected parts in FIG. 2; I

FIG. 7 is an electrical and fluid flow diagram of the solenoid gasvalves controlled main burner gas line to the infrared burners, valvescontrolled flow diagram of the fluid system for the burner panelretracting cylinder and gas flow damper cylinders, and the electricalcircuit for controlling the solenoids operating these valves in responseto the travel speed of the processed element or the temperature of theelement, for maintaining the fabric element at apreselected temperature,and for shutting off the infrared burners; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view taken generally along the line 8-8 in FIG. 2of the gas stream flow duct, infrared panels and reflector meanssurrounding the element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FHG. I of the drawingsshows machine for treating continuous length fiber element 12 byapplying adhesive thereto and subsequently drying the adhesive withmachine 10 includ- .ing heating or drying tower 14 (taking the form ofeither a separate tower or one zone of an element processing building)having structural members 140 supporting l6 substantially identicalheating apparatuses or dryers 16, to be described in more detailhereinafter.

Although machine 10 can be used for treating any suitable fiber element12 (such as yarn, cord or fabric), a woven fabric will be specificallyused hereafter in this description with this fabric having a lengthdimension L along its direction of movement T by drive rolls 22 23 and24; a width dimension W transverse thereto; and opposite, generallyparallel faces F1 and F2.

Since each apparatus 16 is especially adapted for driving moisture outof fibers or fabric, it should be apparent that it has many other uses,such as driving moisture out of woven fabric before calendering in themanufacture of rubber goods.

Although apparatus 16 is specifically described for purposes ofillustration herein a a dryer, it will be readily apparent as thisdescription proceeds that apparatus 16 is broadly any type heatingapparatus with gas stream 42 (described in more detail hereafier)adapted for removing from element 12 any infrared generated heatproducts, whether these heat products be evaporated water during dryingor heat, such as while rapidly heating element 12 to a preselectedtemperature and maintaining it at that-preselected temperature by thecooling action of stream 42 carrying away any excess heat with orwithout suitable control means shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 7and described in more detail in one section of the specificationhereinafter. Infrared generated heat products and heat products" aredefined herein to include water vapor and molecules evaporated fromelement 12, heat removed from element 12, evaporated volatiles, andother products resulting from heating element 12 with infrared heat.

Machine 10 in FIG. 1 sequentially moves fiber element 12 in traveldirection T from feed roll 21 through coating means 18, through heatingor drying tower 14 having 16 heating or drying apparatuses 16 with eachhaving infrared heating means 28, overdrive roll or supportmeans 24 withfiber elemerit l2 freely supported between drive rolls 23 and 24 fromthe bottom or inlet to the heating zones 40 provided by tower l4, andonto windup roll 25 or to subsequent heat treating and/or otherprocessing equipment.

Coating means 18 includes tank 20 containing anywellknownfiber-to-rubber adhesive 19 dissolved, dispersed, or suspended in aliquid vehicle. Such adhesive is generally based onresorcinol-fonnaldehyde resins and late in an aqueous medium.

Suitable drive means is provided for relatively moving element 12through machine 10 comprising coating means'l8 and tower 14. This drivemeans takes the form herein of suitable tensioning or support rolls 22,23 and 24 with any one or all driven by a suitable motor driven drive orindependent motors to advance element 12 through machine 10 and to applysuitable tension to element 12. When fabric element 12 has a width W ofabout 60 inches, 2,000-25,000 pounds tension thereon will be theoperating range for difi'erent fibers, and this tension is used forfurther processing thereof after the ad hesive has been dried'and formaintaining the fabric taut and planer against lateral deflection andflapping by gas streams d2 mentioned hereafter.

off the adhesive covering. Also, an air cushion cannot be used tosuitably support cord fabric on such drum or roller since the air wouldquickly penetrate any open weave of the fabric and the 25,000 poundsmaximum tension would quickly bring the fabric into contact with thecylindrical surface.

It has been found in practice that drying apparatus 16 in tower l4manufactures maximum quality element 12 with minimum equipment size.

Machine 10 has a plurality of apparatuses 16 therein for heating ordrying the fibers in the yarn or fabric in continuous length element 12.These are arranged in eight tiers Tl-T8, and in two banks B1 and B2 sothat each of 16 apparatuses 16 therein may be identified as to location,as to tier and bank, such as the apparatus in the lower left-hand comerof FIG. 1 being identified as apparatus 16 in tier Tl, bank Bl.Apparatuses 16 in each bank are arranged in series along the length ofthe fabric in the tiers while any two horizontal apparatuses 16 inopposite banks B1 and B2 and in the same tier are arranged on oppositesides of fabric element 12 as it passes through tower 14. Apparatus 16in each tier and bank has a width wider than fabric element 12, as shownin FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, to provide a proper heating or drying action aswill be brought out in more detail hereinafter.

Heating or Drying Apparatus 16 though all 16 apparatuses l6 in FIG. 1are identical in construction except the two apparatuses in each tierhave some common operating parts (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 8) and theapparatuses in bank B1 are substantially mirror images of those in bankB2. Then, the structure and mode of operation common to the twohorizontally aligned apparatuses 16 of tier-T2 for both banks B1 and B2will be described; later, the eight series arranged and verticallyaligned apparatuses 16 in tiers T1- T8 in bank B] will be described.

For reference herein a typical operating example of ap paratus 16 willbe given now. It has been found that an actual operating dryingapparatus 16 operates satisfactorily with approximately the followingdimensions and operating characteristics (herein referred to as tableI):

T Approximate dimensions within frame 30 of burner panel 31 for burners32 and spacer blocks 33:

Discharge nozzle 50:

Dimensions 50W1} Dimension 50L-59. Discharged air velocity:

LOGO-2,000. Air discharged quantity:

(Cubic feet per minute)1,500 (mere). 06 output of fan 44) Temperaturesat downstream side of drying apparatus 16 at exhaust nozzle 56 at top ofapparatus 16 (Feet' per minute)- F. Fabric 200 Air 186 Each apparatus 16includes heating means 28, preferably of an infrared emitting orradiating type, for drying element 12.

Although heating means 28 may use any suitable infrared source, such asan electric quartz tube heating element, etc., it is preferred to useherein an infrared heater 32 having a fluid (preferably natural gas)tired flame for generating infrared radiation because of its economy ofoperation, rapid cooling, efficient heat transfer, and desirableradiating characteristics. One suitable form of heater 32 is thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,775,294 granted Dec. 25, 1956 to G. Schwankand entitled Radiation Burners" wherein a gas-air mixture burns on theouter surface of plate 7 in that patent to heat it to incandescencecausing this surface to emit infrared radiation then striking andheating element 12. Such burner 32 has a metal screen mounted aboutone-fourth inch from thisradiant surface, extending parallel thereto,and being substantially coextensive with this surface serving as areradiating screen to increase the burner efficiency and to assist inproviding a uniform distribution of infrared radiant energy in themanner well known in the art. Then, combustible gas mixed with air burnsso that the outer radiating surface of plate 7 has a visibly radianttemperature of approximately l,300 F. 1,600 F. with the radiationintensified by the reradiating screen.

Heating means 28 includes infrared heating panel 31 in FIG. 4 havingspacer blocks 33 and heaters 32 (shown schematically by diagonal linesin FIG. 4) arranged in a checkerboardtype pattern within its frame 30 toprovide a planer, radiating face on panel 31 parallel to and facingelement 12 surface F1.

The intensity and pattern of radiation desired may be varied. Since theintensity of radiation generally varies inversely as the square of thedistance between the objects since one considers a point source ofradiation radiating out over the entire interior surfaceof a surroundingsphere, it would be logical to assume that changing the distance betweenthe radiating face of panel 31 and element surface Fl would be thedesirable way of changing the intensity of radiation on surface Fl. Thisis not true here since the radiating face of panel 31 is not a pointradiating source but is approximately parallel and coextensive withsurface F1 in heating zone 40. Hence, radiation intensity is noteffected by the distance between the radiant face of panel 31 andelement surface F1. Even the radiation that might normally escapeoutwardly horizontally in thespace between panel 31 and face F1 is heldbetween their parallel faces and reflected back onto fabric element faceF1 by reflector plates 90, which will be described in more detailhereinafier. Therefore, the desirable way to change the intensity andpattern of radiation desired is to change the number of heaters 32 andthe number of spacer blocks 33 located within frame 30 of panel 31 andto change their distribution within frame 30.

Each heater 32 and 31 is fed by gas main line 34 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Gasentering drying tower 14 through gas main line 34 travels in FIG. 2either: lthrough solenoid gas valve 35 to be mixed with air by air mixer35a before going through main burner gas line 37 into verticallyextending manifold 37a on the back of panel 31 having flexible hoses 39,one leading from manifold 37a to each infrared burner 32, or 2throughpilot gas line 36 to the burners on the radiant face of panel 31.

Any suitable conventional igniter and safety features are provided. Eachgas line 36 and 37 has pivotal connections 38 therein adapted to permitpivoting of the line components about a horizontal axis duringhorizontal movement of radiant panels 31 between solid and dot-dash linepositions in FIGS. 2 and 6, as will be described in more detailhereinafter.

removing by mass transfer the evaporated liquid molecules and heat fromfabric element 12 in this heating zone 40 by heating apparatus 16. Thefollowing paragraphs will explore this mode of operation more carefullyand more specifically.

Infrared radiation from burner 32 is an efficient method of heattransfer to provide the energy necessary to evaporate the water into itsvapor form and is much better than many other type high temperatureheating sources. Infrared waves extend over. the spectrum in wave lengthfrom 0.8 to 300 microns from the near infrared to the far infraredrange. There is a broad absorption band for water, several microns wide,about at 3 microns wave length in the near infrared region where wateris evaporated most quickly and most efficiently. The aforementionedSchwank-type infrared burner 32 emits strong radiation in thisabsorption band for water vapor for efficiently and rapidly vaporizingthe water or aqueous molecules in the coating. The moisture within thefibers and adhesive coating is heated and evaporated within malariaperiod necessary to dry the adhesive coating on the surface of thefibers while still permitting the moisture to escape therefrom beforethe outer surface of the adhesive is dried and/or cured sufficiently toform a skin or crust entrapping the remaining moisture.

Any suitable gas may be used, but air is specifically used herein eventhough the generic term gas" is used wherever appropriate since anysuitable gas may be used. A gas moving means moves gas stream 42 withrespect to outer surface F1 of element 12 through heating zone 40 duringinfrared heating of surface F1 for removing infrared generated heatproducts from surface F1. These removed heat products may take the formof: lheat removed from surface F1 for controlling the temperature ofsurface F1 by a cooling action, and/or lliquid molecules, such as watermolecules, evaporated by the infrared and removed by gas stream ,42 bymass transfer by scrubbing surface F1 with stream 42 so as to rapidlydry element 12 at a controlled temperature. Stream 42 is a rapidlyflowing river of gas blowing at surface F1 and traveling along surfaceF1 being heated or dried by the infrared. With fabric element 12saturated with water based chemicals 19, a fast rate of drying ofelement 12 to remove the water is highly desirable. Fast drying resultsin minimum equipment size, im proved control of drying conditions, andimproved quality of element 12. The evaporated liquid moleculescarried'away by stream 42 include, of course, not only water moleculesbut molecules of any volatile material. The rate of drying is increasedby removalof liquid molecules from surface F1 to allow betterpenetration of infrared energy and by the efficient mass transfer ofwater molecules to the gas by a scrubbing or vacuuming action of surfaceFl by flowing stream 42. Flowing stream 42 also removes convectionalheat from drying zone 40 and from fabric element 12 so as to provide arigid control of the temperature of the fabric element so that it willnot exceed the safe limit. The gas in stream 42 is cool enough to coolelement 12 as it passes across it. This is a peculiar problem to afabric, such as nylon, some types of which might be damaged if thetemperature exceeded 250 F. Not all objects dried require this closetemperature control by cooling; for example, ceramics, painted metalparts, etc. preferably pick up as much heat as possible and cooling isnot desired since cooling is a detriment to efficient operation. Itshould be apparent that velocity of stream 42 will affect the extent ofscrubbing action and rate of drying and the overall quantity of airflowing in stream 42 will affect both rate of drying and heat removal.Preferred condition of the gas in stream 42 is a relatively dry and coolgas, such as air at ambient conditions. The cool gas will have a greatercapacity for heat pickup, and the dry gas will pick up the moisture andother evaporated molecules more quickly and is more transparent toinfrared radiation from panel 31. Moisture laden gas interferes with thetransmission of infrared rays (because it absorbs this infrared radiantenergy) and interferes with efficient drying and heat transfer.Therefore, if gas stream 42 is heavily laden with moisture, it maysubstantially prevent transmission of the infrared rays from panel 31 tosurface F1 and may serve as an insulating layer over surface F1 toprevent removal of heat and water vapor. Hence, recirculation of the gasin stream 42 would not be desirable because it would be hotter thandesired so could not pick up more heat and could not cool element 12,

and might well be saturated with evaporated molecules, such as watermolecules, which would interfere with infrared transmission and pickupof evaporated water molecules. Hence, gas stream 42 permits infraredheaters 32 to operate at their most efiicient temperature, is located asclose as possible to fabric face F1 for fast drying, and still permitsaccurately controlling the surface temperature of element [2 to preventdamage thereto. Note that the infrared radiation from heaters 32 strikesheating zone 40 to provide drying at the same time as gas stream 42scrubs the heating zone. This action provides most rapid drying withminimum size equipment.

The aforesaid gas moving means includes gas discharge means fordirecting gas stream- 42 as a gas layer or gas curtain generally alongand over surface F1 in heating zone 41! to provide the aforedescribedscrubbing action. Since air of the condition described in the precedingparagraph is preferred, relatively cool, dry air at ambient conditionsis drawn in through inlet duct 46 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 (shownschematically in FIG. 1 as two inlet ducts 46 for each tier forsimplicity of illustration instead of the single inlet duct 46 in FIGS.2 and 3) by motor driven, discharge, fresh air or inlet fan 44 in FIG. 3to be forced through nozzle duct 48 and out nozzles 50 in FIG. 2 to formtwo gas streams 42 for two apparatuses 16. In each ap paratus 16, eachgas discharge nozzle 50 is a rectangular outlet having its length 50L inFIGS. 4 and 5 many times greater than its width 50W. Nozzle 50 also hasmounted on duct 48 by screws 53 adjustable cutoff plate 52 and hasmounted on duct 48 deflector 54 described in more detail hereinafier.

Discharge nozzle 50 is preferably mounted so that length dimension 501.is generally parallel to surface Fl of element 12 in heating zone 40 andwidth dimension 50W is generally perpendicular to surface Fl with nozzle50 directing its discharged gas generally along surface F1 in heatingzone 40 from the lower edge of this heating zone. It shouldbe apparentthat scrubbing action and heat removal will be obtained by having thedischarged stream from nozzle 50 directed transversely across,longitudinally with (in cocurrent flow), or longitudinally against (incontraflowl travel direction T of element 12. Directing stream 42 acrosstravel direction T (across element 12 width W) would v not be desirablebecause, stream 42 would not uniformly hit each portion of width W offabric element 12 so that the fabric would not be uniformly processedacross its width. Nozzle 50, may. mounted near one edge of heating zone40 with its length dimension 50L generally parallel to width dimension Wof fabric element 12 with air stream 42 directed in heating zone 40generally along the length of movement T of element 12 either in thesame direction (in cocurrent flow) or the opposite direction (incontraflow) to the movement T for generally uniformly removing liquidmolecules over widthW of element 12 to give width W uniform processing.Although stream 42 directed opposite to the direction of travel- T (incontraflow) would give an effective scrubbing action, it has been founddesirable to 1 mount nozzle 50 at the bottom of heating zone 40, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 6, so that gas stream 42 is directed in direction Tof element 12 (in cocurrent flow )with this direction being upward sothat the natural convection will help move gas stream 42 toward. gasexhaust vent 56. v

Nozzle length dimension 50L should be at least as wide as *widthdimension W of fabric element 12 so that gas stream 42 flowing over eachportion of fabric element width .W in heating zone 40 for generallyuniformly removing the heat products across this width W, with such heatproducts being evaporated liquid molecules and heat for maintaining agenerally uniform temperature across fabric element width W in heatingzone 40 since drying and heat removal are directly proportional to thequantity of gas flowing in stream 42 and since the scrubbing action isproportional to the velocity of flowing stream 42. This uniformdistribution of gas across width W may be obtained either by carefullydesigning nozzle 50 and maintaining its width 50W constant whileproviding certain desirable gas turning vanes and baffles within nozzleduct 48 and closely adjacent nozzle 50 to control the distribution ofgas flow to nozzle 50, or by making nozile 50 adjustable.

Nozzle 50 may be made adjustable by providing in FIG. 5 cutofi plate 52mounted by screws 53 in elongated parallel slots in the wall of duct 48to serve as an adjustable flow control gate means with its flowcontrolling edge 52a intercepting the flow through gas discharge nozzle50. Pivoting plate 52 about a vertical axis permits increasing ordecreasing the quantity of gas flowing through either end of nozzle 50so as to obtain uniform quantity of gas flow over element width W.However, since edge 52a acts like a sharp edged orifice to laterallydisperse stream 42, after it emerges from nozzle 50, to strike theradiating faces of burners 32 to provide disadvantages mentioned in moredetail hereinafter, it is preferably to have nozzle 50 discharge aclosely held together jetlike stream 42 as a thin layer of gas travelingover face Fl by originally designing nozzle 50 to provide thiscondition. Suitable gas turning vanes, baffles and/or tubular extensionof nozzle 50 into nozzle duct 48 are desirable to prevent this lateraldispersion.

It is desirable to have gas stream 42 directed toward surface F1 toincrease the scrubbing action and heat transfer action. This may be doneby so directing nozzle 50 or by adding gas stream deflector 54 mountedon gas discharge nozzle 50 for directing gas stream 42 not only over andalong surface F1 but also toward and against surface Fl, as seen by thearrows in FIG 6, to serve with male 50 as a gas discharge directingmeans. Directing gas stream 42 toward and causing it to impinge againstsurface Fl has the advantage of increasing the scrubbing and heattransfer action when stream 42 strikes surface Fl a glancing blow and ofprotecting against adversely affectingthe flame generated infraredradiation from flame-type infrared bumers 32, as mentioned in the nextparagraph. Water vapor in a boundary layer on surface F1 will alsointerfere with the transmission of infrared ray thereto and removal ofconvection heat therefrom so that striking surface F1 by stream 42 isdesirable to break up this boundary layer.

If gas stream 42 strikes the radiating face of burners 32, it mayadversely affect the flame generated infraradiation from this flame-typeinfrared burner 32 by either adversely afi'ecting the flame or byexcessively cooling the outer infrared radiating surface on plate 7 inthe aforementioned Schwank patent. The flame may be adversely affectedby being blown out, suckedioff the outer radiating surface of radiatingplate 7 in the Schwank patent by the Venturi effect under BernoullifsTheorem, reduced in size, or at least adversely affected to reducesubstantially infrared radiation output from the radiating plate surfaceby preventing proper flame combustion.

The gas moving means in each apparatus 16 also includes gas exhaustopening 56 having at least (and preferably much greater) flowcross-sectionalarea than the flow cross-sectional area, of gas dischargenozzle 50 and being similarly oriented with respect to surface F1 ofelement 12 but located on the downstream side of .gas stream 42 fromheating zone 40 and discharge nozzle 50. Preferably, the mouth of eachexhaust opening.56 is larger in dimension 50W than discharge nozzle50,since gas stream 42 to be exhausted has swelled in volume since ithas picked up heat and moisture so that a larger volume has to beexhausted through gas exhaust opening 56. Two apparatuses 16 in FIG. 2have two exhaust openings 56 exhausted by common exhaust fan 60 throughducts 58 (each having duct surfaces 580 and suitable turning vanes 58b)and outlet duct 62 to the outside of tower 14. Duct 62 is shownschematically in FIG. 1 as two vertical outlet ducts for simplicity ofillustration instead of the single outlet duct 62 in FIGS. 2 and 3. Airgrills 58c, one in each duct 58, may be adjustably opened to adjust thedraw in its associated opening 56 by controlling the admision of makeupair.

The efficiency of heat transfer and moisture vaporization and the highquality of fabric element 12 produced are readily apparent byconsidering the temperature of the air being exhausted in exhaustopening 56 and the temperature of fabric element 12 at the top end ofheating zone 40 in this typical apparatus 16 in tier T2 and bank B1. Inthe aforegoing Table I, the temperatures of fabric element 12 and of theexhausting air are respectively 200 F. Hence there h as beeh a goodhea ttransfer and scrubbing action between air stream 42 and fabric element12 and most of the infrared energy supplied has gone into vaporizingwater since neither the discharged gas nor fabric element are above theboiling point of water. Since element 12 picks up very little more heatas it travels upwardly in tower 14 in FIG. 1, the temperature of element12 can still be maintained at about only 200 F. (from table I) at thetop of apparatus 16 in tier T8, if so desired. Also, the fabrictemperature of 200 F. is well below the maximum temperature before theaforementioned fibers are damaged by heat. For example, excessive heatwhen element 12, if made of certain types of nylon, still containssubstantial amounts of water, might cause chemical degradation attemperatures as low as 250 F. so element 12 would not be damaged bydrying apparatus 16 but might be damaged by the 600 F. fabrictemperature mentioned in the aforementioned Kersker US. Pat. No.3,250,641 not using a high velocity gas stream.

Also, this fast drying action makes possible production of cord fabricwithout a webbed condition, wherein the adhesive liquid forms a hardenedfilm across the open mesh of the fabric securing adjacent cordstogether.

The substantial increase in drying rate and substantial reduction indrying equipment size is shown since drying tower 14 in FIG. 1 and TableI will dry coated element 18 (made of a particular fabric and weave) tothe same state of sat'sfactory dryness while traveling in direction Tin:

1. Five tier heights when using 2,000 f.p.m. air velocity stream 42 atnozzle 50.

2. Eight tier heights when not using air stream 42. This means thatadding air stream 42 gives about a 38 percent reduction in height oftower 14.

Temperature Controlled Heating or Drying by Heating Apparatus 16Apparatus 16 may be used for rapidly heating up element 12 to apreselected temperature and then maintaining the temperature of outersurface F1 by the cooling action by gas stream 42, with or withoutmoisture removal, and with or without additional control means mentionedhereafter. Hence, apparatus 16 can be used for controlled heating ofelement 12 for any purpose. The gas in stream 42 may be air at ambientconditions, as described heretofore; gas saturated with water molecules;heated air; etc. when only heat up to a preselected temperature andmaintenance there is desired without drying for moisture removal.

Suitable control means may be provided, responsive to the temperature ofelement 12, for maintaining element 12 at a preselected heatedtemperature by controlling the output of at one, and all, of thefollowing aforementioned in apparatus 16: (1) gas moving means formoving gas stream 42 over element 12, (2) drive means for relativelymoving element 12 through machine in FIG. 1, and (3) heating means 18.This control means may take any of a plurality of forms shownschematically in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings. One form of such controlmeans shown herein for purposes of illustration includes thermocouple101 responsive to the downstream temperature of element 12 in FIG. 6(above apparatus 16) for closing switch 104 in FIG. 7 by itsthermocouple signal amplifier 102 if the temperature of element 12exceeds the preselected temperature so as to energize by closed switch104 one or more of the circuits formed between lines L1 and L2 with theselection of any one of more circuits determined by circuit selector106, adapted to permit manual selection of one or more of these knowncircuits or automatically programmed to select specific circuitsdepending upon the operational characteristics and conditionsencountered by machine 10. Such circuit selector 106 can be of anyconventional type.

The variety of circuits that can be formed through circuit selector 106when switch 104 is closed will be individually described in theparagraphs hereafter. The formation of any one of these circuits byclosed switchfl iivfil fend to decreasethe temperature of fabric element12 sensed by thermocouple 101 as the processing continues.

Control means can be selected for increasing the quantity of gas (cubicfoot per minute) flowing-in stream 42 by the gas moving means uponclosing of switch 104 so as to lower the temperature of element 12 ineither of two ways. First, air stream discharge fan 44 in FIGS. 2, 3 and7 is motor driven for moving gas stream 42. The control means includesfan motor speed controller 108 of any suitable type adapted to increasethe speed of fan motor 44 upon closing of switch 104 to increase thequantity of gas in stream 42. Second, solenoid actuated two-way valve109 of any conventional type may be energized to supply air pressurefrom line 73 to the left end of cylinder and piston unit 112 in FIG. 7located within the operating link between cylinder 76 and damper 88 inFIG. 7 for opening damper 88 more fully to leave more gas be dischargedthrough nozzle 50. The piston in unit 112 is normally biased by spring114 to its contracted position to exhaust the air from the left end ofcylinder 112 through twoway valve 109 when switch 104 is opendeenergizing the solenoid in valve 109.

Control means can be selected to control the drive means for relativelymoving element 12 so as to lower the temperature of element 12. Closingswitch 104 energizes motor controller 116 of any conventional type forspeeding up motor 118 driving rolls 22, 23 and/or 24 to speed upmovement of fabric element 12 in direction T through machine 10, if theprocessing action pemrits this speedup, so as to cool the element 12 byexposing it to less heating by apparatus 16.

Control means can be selected to reduce the infrared heat output byheating means 28 by a suitable throttle means controlling the gas fuelinput thereto from gas line 34 for controlling the heat output from theface of its infrared panel 31 in either of two suitable ways so as tolower the temperature of element 12. First, closing switch 104 mayenergize solenoid gas throttling valve 120 in series with valve 35 inmain burner gas line 37 for reducing the gas fuel supply to burners 32in panel 31 so as to reduce their infrared heating output and thus coolelement 12 by controlling the flow of thisfuel fluid. Second, closingswitch 104 energizes motor controller 122 of any conventional type forslowing down the speed of the driving motor on gas-air mixer 35a so thatthe quantity of gas-air mix supplied to burners 32 in panel 31 isreduced to decrease the heat output therefrom and thus cool element 12.

Hence, it should be apparent that element 12 may be cooled by normal gasstream 42 supplemented by energizing solenoid valve 109 and/or 120,and/or motor controller 108, 116 and/or 122 in FIG. 7 by one or more ofthe parallel circuits from closed switch 104 to line L2. It should beapparent that the circuit selected, after switch 104 is closed, fromcircuit selector 106 to line L2 will depend upon the manual or automaticselection by selector 106 so that any one, two or more of these circuitsmay be thus energized to reduce the temperature of element 12, whicheveris desired during the setup of machine 10.

When the temperature of element..12 has dropped sufficiently so that thesignal from thermocouple 101 opens switch 104, the cooling circuit forelement 12 through selector 106 is broken and element 12 is permitted toincrease in temperature in the same manner as occurred before switch 104closed.

When apparatus 16 operates as a heater (without drying), as described inthe present section, the infrared generated heat products removed fromelement 12 are heat.

It should be apparent that much of the description about dryingapparatus 16 in the earlier section of this specification and in thenext section about plurality of apparatuses l6 applies when apparatus 16is a heater, as described in the present section, or is a dryer.

Plurality of Drying Apparatuses 16 in FIG. 2

In any given tier of apparatuses 16 in tower 14 in FIG. 1, such as tierT2, the two horizontally aligned apparatuses 16 straddling oppositefaces F1 and F2 of fabric element 12 have certain common structures,modes of operation and advantages as they coact together, as mentionedin more detail in the following paragraphs describing the stopping ofelement 12 and infrared shutdown action, reflector side plates 90, gasflow ducts 92, elimination of backup reflector to fabric element 12,simultaneous heating or drying and aeration of both sides of fabricelement 12, minimizing lateral flapping of element 12 by gas stream 42,etc.

When the driving action of drive rolls 22, 23 and 24 in FIG. 1 onelement 12 is shut down so as to stop the relative movement of element12, it is important in each of the 16 apparatuses 16 in tower 14 toimmediately shut down infrared radiation from heating means 28 in allapparatuses 16 and to continue the flow of gas stream 42 undiminished,by continued energization of the gas moving means, so as to relativelymove gas stream 42 with respect to and over surfaces F1 and F2 ofelement 12 in all heating zones 40 so as to prevent residual heat fromheating means 28 from raising the temperature of and damaging element12. This action will be described herein for only one or two apparatuses16 since the 16 in tower 14 are simultaneously controlled in the samemanner. I-Iere, inlet fan 44 and exhaust fan 60 in FIGS. 2 and 3 operatecontinuously so as to run when fabric element 12 is stopped as well aswhen it is being driven in the direction T during fabric processing,heating or drying. In fact, it is preferred to increase the gas quantityflowing in stream 42 during this infrared shutdown because fabricelement 12 is not moving and cannot escape from heating zone 40, andheating means 28 has a great deal of residual heat radiating ontoelement 12. Also, increased gas flow now does not adversely affectradiation from gas infrared burners 32 since they are now shut down.Also, it is desirable either to cover the radiating face of each panel31 or to retract each panel away from fabric element 12. The mechanismto be described hereafter provides this action for both apparatuses 16in tier T2 in FIG. 1 (both in banks B1 and B2), and is shown in moredetail in FIGS. 2 and 7. In FIG. 7, rotation actuated switch 68 (havingits switch contact open during stopping of drive roll 23 and having itsswitch contact closed when fabric element 12 is being driven indirection T by the drive rolls) opens its switch contact upon stoppingof movement of fabric element 12 in direction T in heating zone 40 so asto deenergize each solenoid gas valve 35 controlling main burner gasline 37 to eachpanel-31 in-tier T2 inFIG. 2 and deenergizes solenoidoperated four-way valve 72 by breaking their energizating parallelcircuits between power lines L1 and L2. Deenergizing solenoid operatedfour-way valves 72 connects air pressure line 73 to one end ofdouble-acting burner panel retracting cylinder 74 and to one end ofdouble-acting gas flow damper cylinder 76 and connects its exhaust port72a to the other ends of these cylinders. This action extends the lengthof cylinder 74 so that its upwardly moving piston rod in FIG. 2 swingsarm 78 clockwise on pivot 79 so that bellcranks 80 on parallel pivotshafts 79, connected by link 82 will cause bellcranks 80 to swingclockwise in FIG. 2 to retract panels 31 away from element 12 from theirsolid line to their dot-dash line positions since the opposite ends oflinks 82 and 84 and the distal end of arm 78 have pivot connections. Theupper end of each panel 31 is supported by at least one pair of trolleyrollers 86 travelling in opposite channels of I-beam 87 forming one ofthe upper structural members 14a in each apparatus 16 in tower 14. Thisaction also causes double-acting gas flow damper cylinders 76 to move,through either a rigid link or the extensible link having piston andcylinder unit 112 in FIG. 7 now acting rigidly, quadrant-type damper 88in FIG. 2 from a partially open position in gas nozzle duct 48 assumedwhile fabric element 12 is driven in direction T by the drive rollsduring normal heati g or drying to a fully open position during infraredshutdown to inci'easethegasfdifiargerate from nozzle 50 to increase gasstream 42 for cooling surfaces F1 and F2 of element 12 to protect themagainst residual heat from straddling heating means 28. When element 12begins to travel in direction T, switch 68 closes to reverse this actionso as to open gas valve 35, to contract cylinder 74 to advance panels 31back to their solid line positions, and to move damper 88 back to itspartially open position so that each apparatus 16 is now ready forheating or drying again. During this reverse action, four-way valve 72moves to its opposite position to connect air pressure line 73 and itsexhaust port 720 respectively to said other and said one ends of saidcylinders in the conven tional four-way valve operating manner toreverse the action of cylinders 74 and 76.

Each of the two panels 31 in any given tier, such as tier T2 in FIGS.13, has secured to each of its vertical side surfaces in FIGS. 6 and 8reflector plate 90, four in number for each tier, adapted to telescopetogether over each edge of fabric element 12 in straddling relationshipwhen the burner panels are in their solid line positions in FIG. 2 asshown in FIG. 8. Then, these four reflector plates 90 form two generallyparallel reflector means extending along direction T of relativemovement of element 12 and straddling the opposite edges of element 12for heating these edges in heating zones 40 more uniformly by infraredradiation by reflecting the infrared radiation back onto these edges ofthe fabric, since these edges would not otherwise get sufiicientradiation since they are close to the edge of panels 31. Hence, thesereflector plates assure uniformity of infrared radiation over full widthW of fabric element 12 by capturing the infrared radiation that wouldotherwise escape laterally through the gap between panels 31.

Flow ducts or flow channels 92 are formed, one duct on each side offabric element 12, for conveying the gas in each gas stream 42 as an aircurtain from its discharging nonle 50 to its exhaust openings 56. Eachgas flow duct 92 extends along the length of element 12, has element 12surface F1 or F2 as one wall thereof, and is mounted to receive gasstream 42 from discharge nozzle 50 for keeping gas stream 42 flowingover and close to this element surface and for discharging the gasstream 42 into discharge opening 56 for exhausting from tower 14.

Each vertically extending flow channel or duct 92 for gas stream 42 isformed by surface face F1 or F2 of element 12, reflector plates 90 andthe radiating face of heating panel 31 of heating means 28 with thesetwo ducts 92 each being rectangular in cross section, generallyparallel, and straddling element surfaces F1 and F2. Movement ofreflector plates 90 with retractable burner panels 31 between the solidand dotdash line positions in FIGS. 2 and 6 does not matter because theywill return to their telescoped relationship to form the sides of flowducts 92 each time burner panels 31 are moved to their advanced andsolid line position in FIG. 2.

Each duct 92 plays an important part during travel of its stream 42 fromdischarge nozzle 50 to exhaust vent 56. Duct 92 guides, holds laterallycompact and prevents lateral dispersion' of stream 42 to maintain theflow action of stream 42 in or F2.

Although two ducts 92 and four reflector plates 90 have 1 been describedfor two apparatuses 16 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8 for convenience, it should beapparent that a single duct 92 straddled by only two reflector plates 90give the same advantages for a single apparatus 16.

If only one gas stream 42 were used, element 12 might be laterallydeflected and laterally flapped by this one gas stream 42 to putunnecessary tension on fabric element 12, to distort the shape of gasduct 92, to move element 12 away from heating means 28, and/or toprovide other disadvantages. This is not true when two apparatuses 16are used, as shown in FIG. 2. Then, fabric element 12 is maintainedsubstantially taut and planar against lateral deflection and flapping bythe gas streams since this deflection and flapping is miriiin iied byhaving the gas discharge means in each apparatus 16, including the twogas streams 42, symmetrically straddling element 12, and by having rolls22, 23 and 24 suitably driven to exert sufficient tension on element 12between rolls 23 and 24.

There are other advantages in having two apparatuses 16 facing eachother at each tier, such as tier T2 in FIG. 1, with one apparatus 16 ineach bank B1 and B2. Then, these two heating apparatuses 16 are mountedwith their two heating zones 40 having sandwiched therebetween thegenerally coinciding opposite faces Fl and F2 of element 12 so that eachdries one of the opposite generally coinciding parallel faces of element12. This structural arrangement and coaction has a higher heating ordrying heat; simultaneously heats or dries both sides of fabric element12; more rapidly heats or dries fabric element 12; and requires noreflector behind element 12, such as would be necessary if only onedrying apparatus were used. Such reflector frequently has a short usefulwear life since it gets tarnished and tends to melt under the hot infrared radiation heat.

The eight apparatuses 16 in bank B1 in FIG. 1 in tiers T1- ---T8arranged in series along direction T of travel of element 12 havecertain advantages. Each of these apparatuses 16 has its own gasdischarge nozzle 50 and gas exhaust opening 56 for generally uniformlyprocessing width W of element 12 in series arranged heating zones 40 aselement 12 moves upwardly in FIG. 1 past these eight series arrangedapparatuses 16 in bank Bl. Each of these eight drying apparatuses hasits own vertically traveling gas stream 42 formed from relatively fresh,dry, cool air at ambient conditions sucked in from outside drying tower14 for its discharge nozzle 50 and has water molecule saturated, or atleast heavily laden, air (substantially raised in temperature) exhaustedthrough exhaust opening 56 and outlet duct 62 at the top of drying tower14 so as to not interfere with the flow of fresh, dry air into tower 14for discharge nozzles 50. Having eight separate gas streams 42 is asubstantial advantage over having a single gas stream 42 pasing from thebottom to the top of tower 14. This single gas stream would (after ittraveled more than one tier in height) be too heavily laden with watermolecules to provide an effective scrubbing action for removal ofevaporated water, be too heated up to provide an effective temperaturecontrol by cooling element 12, be too heavily concentrated with watermolecules so as to prevent effective infrared transmission from heaters32 to element 12, have lost its upward velocity so it would no longerscrub off the water molecules or remove the convection heat, not be ableto be kept confined to surface F1 or F2 of fabric element 12 because itwould lose its upward velocity, and not be able to be confined to acompact stream but would spread laterally and thus be totally useless.The advantage of dividing a single gas stream into eight separate seriesarranged gas streams 42 becomes more apparent when one realizes that thefree vertical travel of each gas stream 42 at each tier in FIG. 1 isabout 8 feet vertically in the typical installation of Table I while asingle stream would have to travel about 100 feet traveling the verticalheights of drying tower 14. Also, it is possible by using the 16separate drying appraises-'16 in drying racer; arranged in horizontallyo;

posed pairs and in eight series arranged pairs separately to control theinfrared heating action and flow of gas stream 42 in each componentapparatus 16 to match the existing and desired conditions of temperatureand moisture removal from element 12 as it is progressively heated ordried as it moves vertically through tower 14. This would not bepossible if a single gas stream were used for the whole height of tower14. Also, it has been found during operation of tower 14 that thetemperature of element 12 and the temperature of the discharged air atthe top of each tier T1 T8 can be controlled to be approximately thesame even though element 12 moves upwardly in tower l4 and becomesprogressively drier.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics sidered in all respects asillustrative and not resirictive iiiith the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all equivalency of the claims are therefore intended tobe embraced therein. We claim: I. An apparatus for drying a fluidtreated continuous yarn 25 or fabric fiber, comprising in combination:

a. a heating zone having a gas discharge and gas exhaust in verticalspaced relation;

b. a gas-fired heater with exposed flames for generating infraredradiation, disposed in the heating zone intermediate the gas dischargeand gas exhaust;

c. means for moving a continuous fiber vertically past the heateradjacent the gas discharge and gas exhaust;

d. means for discharging a continuous stream of gas, under pressure,from the gas discharge towards the gas exhaust during operation of theheater; and

e. means in fixed, unmovable relation to the heater, for channeling thegas stream adjacent and in contacting relation with the moving fiber andout of interfering relation with the exposed flames of the heater, suchthat the stream of gas helps dry the fiber without adversely afiectingoperation of the heater.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, which includes: means for exhausting gas,laden with heat products generated by the heater, through the gasexhaust.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas stream and fiber move inthe same direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas exhaust is in verticalspaced relation above the gas discharge.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas channeling means includes adeflector adjacent the gas discharge for engaging gas passing underpressure therefrom and directing the gas towards the moving fiber.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the deflector includes a configuredplate coextensive with the gas discharge and converging in a directiontowards the moving fiber.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gas includes air dischargedfrom the gas discharge at the rate of about 1,000 to about 2,000 feetper minute.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the quantity of air discharged fromthe gas discharge is not more than about 1,500 cubic feet per minute.

9. A method for processing a tire cord, comprising the steps of:

a. coating a tire cord with liquid adhesive for increasing the adhesionbetween the tire cord and rubber material used in the production oftires; I

b. moving the liquid coated tire cord past exposed flames of a pluralityof gas fired infrared heaters disposed in vertical stacked relation todry the adhesive coating; and

c. simultaneously contacting the tire cord with successive streams ofgas, under pressure, as the cord moves past the exposed flames of theheaters, to help dry the adhesive coating.

10. The method of claim 9, which includes: removing as thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be conchanges which come within themeaning and range ofmuch gas as possible from each gas stream after thegas scrubs the tire cord and becomes at least partially ladened withheat products generated by the infrared heaters.

l 1. The method of claim 10, which includes: channeling the streams ofgas adjacent the moving tire cord out of interfering relation with theexposed flames of the infrared heaters.

12. The method of claim 1 1, which includes: moving the tire cordbetween exposed flames of opposing pairs of infrared heaters to heat thecord from opposing sides thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,55LL,502 Dated anuary 12, 1971 Invent0r(s) Grover W Rye and AlexanderV Alexeff It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:Col 6, line 31, '1 liquid" should read 2 liquid Col 8, line 28,"preferably" should read preferable Col 9, line 16, "200%." should read200F. and 186F. Col 10, line 6, "of more" should read or more Signed andsealed this 18th day of May 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E SCHUYLER, JR Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents

1. An apparatus for drying a fluid treated continuous yarn or fabricfiber, comprising in combination: a. a heating zone having a gasdischarge and gas exhaust in vertical spaced relation; b. a gas-firedheater with exposed flames for generating infrared radiation, disposedin the heating zone intermediate the gas discharge and gas exhaust; c.means for moving a continuous fiber vertically past the heater adjacentthe gas discharge and gas exhaust; d. means for discharging a continuousstream of gas, under pressure, from the gas discharge towards the gasexhaust during operation of the heater; and e. means in fixed, unmovablerelation to the heater, for channeling the gas stream adjacent and incontacting relation with the moving fiber and out of interferingrelation with the exposed flames of the heater, such that the stream ofgas helps dry the fiber without adversely affecting operation of theheater.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, which includes: means forexhausting gas, laden with heat products generated by the heater,through the gas exhaust.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gasstream and fiber move in the same direction.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the gas exhaust is in vertical spaced relation above the gasdischarge.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas channeling meansincludes a deflector adjacent the gas discharge for engaging gas passingunder pressure therefrom and directing the gas towards the moving fiber.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the deflector includes a configuredplate coextensive with the gas discharge and converging in a directiontowards the moving fiber.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gasincludes air discharged from the gas discharge at the rate of about1,000 to about 2,000 feet per minute.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein the quantity of air discharged from the gas discharge is notmore than about 1,500 cubic feet per minute.
 9. A method for processinga tire cord, comprising the steps of: a. coating a tire cord with liquidadhesive for increasing the adhesion between the tire cord and rubbermaterial used in the production of tires; b. moving the liquid coatedtire cord past exposed flames of a plurality of gas fired infraredheaters disposed in vertical stacked relation to dry the adhesivecoating; and c. simultaneously contacting the tire cord with successivestreams of gas, under pressure, as the cord moves past the exposedflames of the heaters, to help dry the adhesive coating.
 10. The methodof claim 9, which includes: removing as much gas as possible from eachgas stream after the gas scrubs the tire cord and becomes at leastpartially ladened with heat products generated by the infrared heaters.11. The method of claim 10, which includes: channeling the streams ofgas adjacent the moving tire cord out of interfering relation with theexposed flames of the infrared heaters.
 12. The method of claim 11,which includes: moving the tire cord between exposed flames of opposingpairs of infrared heaters to heat the cord from opposing sides thereof.13. The method of claim 12, wherein different streams of gas are usedfor every infrared heater the tire cord passes.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the streams of gas are discharged towards the moving tirecord at a rate of from about 1,000 to about 2,000 feet per minute. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein each stream of gas after contacting themoving tire cord moves in a direction generally parallel to the tirecord until removed.